Welcome to the Stella Starwoman April AstroUpdate! Ask any astrologer what’s happening in April and they’ll
babble excitedly about the cardinal grand cross and Mars retrograde and the total lunar eclipse, oh and there’s also a
solar eclipse at the end of the month! Yes folks, this is an energetically charged month to be sure, so fasten your
seatbelt and get ready for a wild ride.
Thank you to all those of you who wrote saying how much you’d enjoyed the article on the Rolling Stones in last
month’s newsletter. Looks like Mick Jagger and friends have been prime casualties of the Mars retrograde transit
with their Australian tour cancelled at the last moment due to the suicide of Mick’s girlfriend the day they landed in
Australia. But what’s been happening for you since Mars turned retrograde? Have you spat the dummy or broken
out in a rash? Fought with your partner or suddenly left your job? Would love to hear your stories and put some of
them in the next newsletter. You can write to me at stella@stellastarwoman.com
Mars Retrograde – Part Two
Aligning Actions & Goals with True Nature
In last month’s AstroUpdate we looked at the significance of the Mars retrograde transit which began in early
March and will continue until late May. Mars themes include: will, desire, libido, courage, passion, energy, spirit
and anger. Many of us suppress our true needs or nature in an effort to please others and keep the peace, so the
symbolic purpose of the Mars retrograde cycle is to force us to align our actions and goals (Mars) with our true
nature (the Sun). This of course can create fireworks!
Mars turned retrograde at 27º Libra on 2 nd March and began his 2 ½ month backward journey through Libra, sign of
personal relationships. This most challenging part of the cycle lasts from 2 nd March until 9 th April when Mars at 19º Libra moves to oppose the Sun at 19º Aries (conscious will
vs unconscious intent). During this five-week period, any underlying grievances will become apparent, particularly for those who have ignored gut feelings or intuition.
These epiphanies can come in many forms – sudden illness or accident; seemingly fated occurrences; outbursts of anger and frustration; out of character behaviour
and relationship conflicts. On a more positive note there can be feelings of liberation; exhilaration and excitement; freedom from oppression and a strong desire to sweep away all obstacles to change and personal growth.
Common Manifestations – 9 th April – 20 th May
The second half of the retrograde cycle goes from 9th April to mid-May. Mars eventually stations (stops moving
backwards) at 9º Libra and starts moving forward again on the 20 th May. Situations may deteriorate further and
tempers continue to flare, but this five-week part of the cycle offers clarity and understanding. As the old ways
become redundant or obsolete, there is time to pause and consider what needs to be done to maintain integrity.
Once Mars turns direct (20 th May) it is time to deal with the fallout from the past couple of months. We instinctively
know if a relationship, situation, circumstance or condition is unsustainable and are likely to make radical changes.
There is usually a total re-evaluation of the course of action needed to reclaim personal power. With two powerful
eclipses also occurring during this Mars retrograde cycle, life could look very different by the end of May.
The Cardinal Grand Cross – Your Chance to Make A Difference
The Cardinal Grand Cross which as been hovering around since the beginning of the year will reach its full power
and potential this month. A grand cross is composed of at least four planets in an exact square formation in the
heavens. Think of a boxing ring with a prize fighter at each corner ready to do battle and you’ll get the idea.
Here are the main players:
1) Pluto in Capricorn
Desire to establish well-run structures that benefit society – banks, governments, financial institutions, stock markets, legal establishments. If negative, greedy, controlling and unfair structures that oppress and disenfranchise.
2) Mars in Libra
Desire for conscious and equal partnership. Healthy relationships with each other and with the planet. When negative, fighting in relationships or using violence and force to control others.
3) Jupiter in Cancer
Desire for healthy families and communities with adequate food and housing and lots of nurturing and security. When negative, oppressed communities, broken families, lack of food and housing and lack of nurturing, compassion and support.
4) Uranus in Aries
Desire for revolution and inspired change to create healthier, fairer structures and societies. Respect for the rights of individuals. When negative, bloody revolutions and war without thought for the future.
This grand cross is helping cause the breakdown of long-standing patterns both on an individual and a collective
level so we can rebuild in new forms that support the greater good. Oppositions between planets call for balance
and integration. Squares represent crisis points. We may feel scattered or drained until we learn how to stay
centered in what may feel like the midst of some internal or external storm in our lives or community. But before
you run and hide….consider that you can use the power of this cardinal cross to completely transform your life
and indeed the lives of others. Recently in the newspaper I read a wonderful example of someone who is doing
just this. Andrew Forrest, Australian billionaire and mining magnate was horrified to discover that the children at
the orphanage in Nepal where his 15 year old daughter was doing volunteer work were being groomed for sex
slavery. Since that discovery five years ago, he has single-handedly mounted a campaign to rid the world of its
estimated 30 million slaves, including those forced into marriage, bonded labour or sex trafficking. Five years of
hard work have led to a history-making alliance between three of the world's major religions to end slavery.
At the Vatican on 17 th March, the day of the Virgo full moon (Virgo is the sign of service of which slavery is a negative form), Andrew Forrest launched the Global Freedom Network - a new organisation led and supported by the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar in Egypt. The network's aims include:
-All global faiths to remove any slavery-related organisations from their supply chains and investments.
-162 governments and 30 heads of state to endorse the network by the end of this year.
-Political leaders to slavery-proof government supply chains.
-The G20 to adopt a new anti-slavery and human trafficking initiative.
-Fifty major multi-national businesses to commit to ''slavery-proofing'' their supply chains.
If Andrew Forrest can achieve all this under the cardinal grand cross, what could you achieve?
Featured Sign-Aries
This year from the 21st March to the 20 th April, the Sun travels through masculine fire sign Aries. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, the seed, the new beginning, the hero. Its keywords are “I am” and “I initiate”. The symbol for
Aries is the horned ram who rushes fearlessly into new situations, heedless of danger with no consideration for others. Arians are true individuals, keen to build their own personality and ego. The typical Arian is youthful, independent and adventurous, displaying strength, boldness, initiative and courage. Negatively they can be angry, headstrong, selfish, domineering and arrogant. Arians need to learn how to cooperate with others, complete projects they have started and conserve their energy to avoid burnout. If you want to annoy an
Aries, boss them around or tell them to calm down! Each zodiac sign rules a part of the body. For Aries this is the head. When Arians are out of balance they often suffer from headaches, migraines and injuries to the head. And the Aries colour is red. When we get angry we talk about ‘seeing red’.
Lunar & Solar Eclipses – The Truth Emerges
We have two eclipses in April, a total lunar eclipse at the Libra full moon on the 15 th and a solar eclipse at the Taurus
new moon on the 29 th . Eclipses are like newspaper headlines, boosting and enhancing planetary energies. The Libra
full moon eclipse puts the focus on relationships of all kinds, helping us see things more clearly and uncover the
truth. Perhaps this eclipse will shine a light on a new relationship or new life path you are destined to follow. Lunar
energy is also linked to emotions, security needs and habit patterns. Major life transitions often occur under an
eclipse as old, outworn parts of our lives are suddenly eclipsed, making room for new people, new ideas and exciting
change. Events may seem to occur suddenly, but often matters have been brewing for months. Sometimes eclipses
bring loss and apparent misfortune – if this is the case for you, try and look at the lesson behind the event. As one
door closes, another usually opens. This full moon eclipse marks the end of a 19 year cycle, so look back in time to
1995 and reflect on all that you have learned so you can carry these lessons forward onto your newly emerging path.
The Aries-Libra polarity deals with the issue of maintaining a sense of self without being selfish (Aries) vs the joys
of being in relationship without sacrificing the self (Libra). Readers on the east coast of Australia will be able to see
the blood red lunar eclipse just after the full moon rises between 5.45 pm and 6 pm local time on 15 th April.
The partial solar eclipse on the 29 th occurs at the Taurus new moon. An eclipse represents a period of darkness that
can throw us off-balance. Solar eclipses begin new chapters in our lives and their effects are usually felt for at least
the next six months. During a solar eclipse, lunar concerns (gut feelings, emotional patterns, subconscious mind and
habits) somehow interfere or block out our outwardly focused yang energy (the sun) which can be an enlightening or
frightening experience, depending on your level of self-awareness. This eclipse is in Taurus, a practical earth sign
with a focus on sensuality, comfort, money, wellbeing and security. Perhaps your need for security or material
comfort is stopping you from moving forward or expressing your true self? Or perhaps you need to develop a more
positive relationship to money and security. If you have a copy of your birth chart, look up the house of the eclipse
(8 - 9° Taurus) to see which part of life will be affected. For example if the eclipse
falls in your 2 nd house, your values and relationship to money will change. If it falls
in your 7 th house, your marriage or relationship will be affected.
April is a powerful time to shake things up, make permanent life changes and
reach for your goals. Think about all the things you need to let go of and maintain
an attitude of openness and trust. Every event in our lives happens for a reason!
Tarot Minor Arcana Workshop - Melbourne
Sunday 6 th April – Seven Places Still Available - Book Now!
When you’re learning Tarot, it’s easy to get seduced by the glamour of the Major Arcana and the subtle psychology
of the Court Cards. The humble Minor Arcana should not be overlooked. These cleverly designed images describe
the nuts and bolts of everyday life. Who’s cheating on who? How can I stand up to my sister or lose weight? Will I
be able to buy that house? Who’s going to fall pregnant? And why didn’t I get a promotion?
Over the course of the morning we’ll cover the Ace to Ten cards of each of the four suits – Wands (Fire), Pentacles
(Earth), Swords (Air) and Cups (Water) – forty cards in all. Once you’ve grasped the meanings of the cards, I’ll
show you two different spreads to make the cards come alive in your own life.
Specially designed for those with little or no knowledge of Tarot who’d like to learn more about this fascinating
subject, this workshop will also appeal to those who’ve studied Tarot in the past but would like to brush up on their
skills. It’s designed to be both practical and esoteric, both fun and educational. By the end of the morning you’ll
have learned heaps about yourself and I guarantee you’ll be itching to get home and try out the spreads you’ve
learned.
Hi Stella - Just a quick note to say thank you again for yesterday’s workshop. I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop
because you seem to be very grounded, real and practical while still being connected to spirit. Not airy, fairy or too
esoteric for the sake of it. This is what I was looking for in a teacher of the Tarot. See you at the next workshop!
Nicole. Xx
MYSTERIES OF THE MINOR ARCANA – ONLY SEVEN PLACES LEFT!
Date: Sunday 6 th April 2014 (9.30 - 1.30 pm)
Cost: $125 includes morning tea and Minor Arcana Workbook
Venue: Elwood Neighbourhood Learning Centre
87 Tennyson Street, Elwood, Melbourne
Call Stella on 03 9534 5021 with your CREDIT CARD details or
BOOK ONLINE with PayPal/Visa/MasterCard or BANK TRANSFER to
Account Name: Stella Starwoman, BSB 063-131 Account Number 1009 0630
April Moon Calendar
Launch projects at the New Moon, bring them to completion in the period from just before the Full Moon to the
Third Quarter phase and wind them down and reflect on developments in the week before the next New Moon. The
period between the New Moon and the Full Moon is the waxing moon (moon getting bigger and fuller). The period
between the Full Moon and the New Moon is the waning moon (moon getting smaller and thinner).
You can use this moon table to select the most favourable days to slow or increase hair regrowth. Full instructions
can be found in my Lunar Hair Care guidelines at www.stellastarwoman.com/files/LunarHairCare.pdf but to get you
started I’ve marked the best dates for waxing/shaving to slow regrowth in yellow and the best dates to cut hair for
thicker, lusher growth in green. If you’re serious about Lunar Hair Care - order your own Moon Calendar from the
Stella Starwoman Store then you’ll know exactly what time of day the moon changes from one zodiac sign to the
next meaning you can fine-tune your activities with confidence.
Thanks for being part of AstroUpdate. If there’s something you’d like to see featured, or have something you think
would interest others, please contact me at stellaw@ozemail.com.au
PS – Don’t forget to check out your April Monthly Stars at www.stellastarwoman.com
to see what’s coming up for you this month.
Happy Stargazing
Stella Woods